NASA Education Express — Fall 2011 Desert RATS Activities

Follow the Desert RATS Team During Analog Testing

The NASA Desert Research and Technology Studies team, also known as Desert RATS, marks its fourteenth annual field test and the first time a mission to an asteroid will be simulated. While NASA has landed astronauts on the moon and rovers on Mars, the agency is only beginning to tackle the challenges of visiting an asteroid. Desert RATS team members will conduct simulated human and robotic space exploration test activities in extreme Arizona terrain to investigate and develop realistic technical and mission-driven operations similar to those of an asteroid mission.

The public is invited to follow along during the simulated mission. The Desert RATS team will use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Ustream to share their experience online.